Civil Engineer

Federal Emergency Management Agency • Philadelphia, PA

17d

About The Position

This Civil Engineer position is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and supports FEMA’s National Dam Safety Program and Mitigation Division goals to reduce or eliminate long-term risks to people and property from hazards. The incumbent ensures that studies and designs are technically credible and provides program and engineering support related to dam and levee safety, hazard mitigation, and water-resources projects.

The role includes providing technical, administrative, and engineering advice to internal and external customers; coordinating program functions with other FEMA activities; and supporting Dam and Levee Safety Programs and related Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants. Technical work includes risk and consequence assessments, failure mode analysis, inspection of completed rehabilitation, dam safety training, and hydrologic, hydraulic, and water-quality matters relating to dam rehabilitation and removal. The engineer collaborates with federal, state, tribal, and local partners, participates in interagency meetings and technical committees, and may lead presentations, training, discussions, and problem resolution.

FEMA employees have recurring emergency management responsibilities. The position is subject to recall at any time for emergency operations, which may involve irregular hours, duties outside the regular position description, and work away from the official duty station. Emergency deployments may last weeks to months, may be announced with little notice, and may involve relocation to physically austere and operationally challenging conditions. The selected applicant must also attend a three-week in-person training course in Emmitsburg, Maryland, within six months of onboarding; FEMA covers travel expenses.

Requirements

• Meet the civil engineering occupational series education requirement through an acceptable engineering degree or an allowed combination of education and experience, such as qualifying engineering registration/licensure or a passed Fundamentals of Engineering examination.
• For GS-13 qualification, have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12 that includes applying federal, state, and local regulations, engineering guidance, and technical standards to assess and mitigate dam and levee infrastructure hazards.
• Have experience conducting hydrologic and hydraulic reviews, studies, and engineering analyses to evaluate flood risk, infrastructure performance, and hazard-mitigation options for water-resources projects.
• Have experience collaborating with engineers, stakeholders, and technical partners to develop, review, and support dam and levee infrastructure designs.
• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Successfully pass and maintain a Moderate Risk background investigation; this may include a credit check and review of financial issues and certain criminal or drug-related matters.
• Meet Selective Service registration requirements, if applicable.
• Current federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements.
• Be able to obtain and maintain a Government credit card.
• Be able to deploy with little or no advance notice anywhere in the United States and its territories for an extended period.
• Complete the required three-week in-person training in Emmitsburg, Maryland, within six months of onboarding.
• Disclose current or qualifying former Executive Branch political appointment status to Human Resources, if applicable.
• New federal competitive service employees are subject to a one-year probationary period.
• If designated as a Testing Designated Position, be subject to random drug testing.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive technical, administrative, and engineering advice and assistance to internal and external customers.
• Manage, coordinate, and integrate program functions with other FEMA activities and programs to support agency objectives.
• Coordinate technical support for Dam and Levee Safety Programs and related Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs, including risk and consequence assessments, failure mode analysis, rehabilitation inspections, and dam safety training.
• Advise staff in other branches, divisions, and directorates on hydrologic, hydraulic, and water-quality matters related to dam rehabilitation and removal projects.
• Collaborate with federal and state agencies, tribes, local governments, and other stakeholders on dam and levee safety activities.
• Participate in interagency and intra-agency meetings; make presentations and briefings; conduct training; lead discussions; and help resolve problems.
• Serve on technical committees involving local and regional water-resource planning, hydraulics, hydrology, and related natural hazards.
• Support emergency management operations, including deployment to emergency sites with little or no advance notice when required.
• Attend a three-week in-person training course in Emmitsburg, Maryland, within six months of onboarding.

Benefits

• Competitive federal benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance.
• Retirement plan and Thrift Savings Plan.
• Flexible Spending Account and Employee Assistance Program.
• Personal leave days and paid federal holidays.
• Potential flexible work schedules, tuition reimbursement, transportation subsidies, uniform allowance, health and wellness programs, and fitness centers.
• Employee training and developmental opportunities.
• Disabled veteran leave for qualifying veterans hired on or after November 5, 2016.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior